Celtel Malawi Reduces Cost of Cellular Handsets

APA-Lilongwe (Malawi) A leading mobile service provider in the country, Celtel Malawi, said on Wednesday that it had reduced the cost of its cheapest cellular phone handset by 35 percent with immediate effect, from US$25 to US$16 per handset.

Speaking during the unveiling ceremony of the new price in Lilongwe, CeltelĂ's acting Commercial Director Saulos Chilima said the reduction in the price tag of the Chinese made handsets was in response to new tax measures set in the 2008/09 national budget presented to parliament in early June.

In this yearĂ's budget, the government has scrapped off a 25 percent customs and excise duty on imposed on handsets and cellular network equipment.

"This is in line with our companyĂ's strategy of making mobile telecoms affordable and easily accessible to all Malawians," he said.

He observed that access to mobile telecommunications in a global village is no longer a luxury but a fundamental right for everyone.

Posted to the site on 25th June 2008